Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

March 14, 2023

Healing judgment: A Lenten online retreat

with the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas

Mar 18, 9:30am

Online


Lent invites us to look deeply into our lives and into the society in which we participate. 


Many people dread (and avoid) the traditional Lenten practices of self-examination and repentance because we fear that these practices will drag us into harsh self-criticism and self-attack. This retreat will invite us to question our kneejerk self-judgment and to open instead to the healing judgment of a loving God who sees our preciousness and seeks our wholeness.


Through silence, guided meditation, personal reflection, and small group sharing we aim to create a space in which we can grow in self-awareness, self-acceptance, and compassion for ourselves, each other, and our wounded, magnificent world.


Please bring a candle, Bible, paper/pen for journaling, art supplies (if you have some), and comfortable clothes for an optional walk outside. 


Register here

Deadline Extended: Register for EYE

Jul 4-8

College Park, MD


Join our diocesan group participating in the Episcopal Youth Event, a gathering of youth ages 15-19 from around the world who assemble on a college campus to learn, laugh, and worship together.


This event is held only once every three years, so this may be the only chance for your high school student, or a high school student you know, to attend.


This year's event will be July 4-8, 2023 at University of Maryland, College Park; our diocesan group will travel there and back together.


If you are interested, or have youth from your parish interested, please email the Rev. Megan McDermott, priest associate at Grace Amherst, as soon as possible at [email protected], for a registration form. Registration must be received by Megan, who will register our entire delegation, by March 17th.


Learn more and register

Big Buildings, Big Questions 2

Apr 18, 6:00pm

Online


Join us on the evening of Tuesday, April 18th for our second conversation about the gifts and challenges of big church buildings.


We'll be joined by two experts:


Learn more

Join Episcopal City Mission's

"Bridging the Gap" Program

Mar 22 - Jun 14, 6:30pm

Online


"We invite Episcopalians and friends statewide to join us on Zoom the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings from March 22nd through June 14th for Bridging The Gap.


This participatory and action-oriented program will focus on the Racial Wealth Gap and our major areas of focus to shrink it (Policy, Reparations, & Solidarity Economies). The program will be a spiritually grounded space for personal transformation, relationship building, both joy and reckoning, and most of all concrete and bold action in the world.


We encourage parishes to form groups that will work together in the context of their own congregation."


Learn more and register

Stewardship

New TENS Resources for 2023

Our diocese is pleased to continue providing access to TENS resources without cost to all our congregations. The Episcopal Network for Stewardship offer annual campaign materials, trainings, and year-round resources. 


"Introducing: 2023 Annual Theme

Rooted in Abundance


Our generosity is informed by the simple theological truth that God has blessed us infinitely with all of the gifts of Creation. Our lives, our labor, our love are devoted to the mission of the Church when we take stock and realize that our lives and our response to God’s generosity are Rooted in Abundance."


Learn more

Province 1: The Episcopal Church in New England

Episcopal Province of New England unveils a new website

On March 1, the Episcopal Province of New England went live with its new website. The website remains at the current province1.org page - check it out!


This new site will allow the Province to better equip Episcopalians across New England with news, events, and connection points.


Material from the legacy site is archived; for inquiries about accessing or publicizing that material, or to update information on the new site, please reach out to the Provincial Coordinator at [email protected]

Conversations with Noted Speakers

The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online conversations. On the third Thursday of each month, participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Registration required.


2023 Schedule


  • Mar 16 - "VBS on the go: How it worked in one church." - Sam Burton 
  • Apr 20 - "Interactive Family Church: an introduction to liturgy" - Dean Kristi Maulden and Becky Moseman
  • May 18 - "Confirmation: The Lost Sacrament Finds Fresh Purpose" - The Rev. Josh Hosler
  • Jun 15 - "Atrium for Everyone: Incorporating practices from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or Godly Play into any program" - The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock


Register here

WMA & MA Together

The Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network meets on the second Wednesday of the month at noon. Contact Martha Gardner for meeting access.

The Creation Care Justice Network in Massachusetts is a group of Episcopalians from across our state who are committed to faith-based environmental justice and climate action. They draw upon the strong environmental messages from our bishops and The Episcopal Church as well as our diocesan mission to protect creation and seek ways to work collaboratively to address the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. 


The attend the next meeting e-mail [email protected] to confirm and to get the Zoom link.


Learn more

Join the MAPPC Email List. If you do not already receive invitations, news, and updates from our Massachusetts PPC chapter, please sign up here: MAPPC Sign Up. The campaign is in a season of action around the election - voter and candidate education, registering folks to vote, and encouraging voter participation. Hope you can join in events! 


Catch up with the latest news!

From The Episcopal Church

Episcopal bishops describe ‘powerful, challenging’ racial justice pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama

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House of Bishops elects Armed Forces and Federal Ministries bishop suffragan and Navajoland provisional bishop, reaffirms trans rights

Workshops & Resources

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It’s All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement


Jul 8-12

Baltimore, MD


It’s All About Love features three Jesus Movement festival “tents” – Evangelism, Creation Care, and Racial Justice. Each tent will be the focus of an evening revival worship service and a central plenary speaker, plus dozens of daytime workshops, panels, practice opportunities, and other ways to engage.


Learn more

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Musicians’ Gathering at Kanuga


April 11-14

Hendersonville, NC


This gathering of innovative musicians creates a time and space for rest and renewal within the sanctuary of not only the peaceful mountain scenery, but also the mutual support of peers. Come for collaborative worship and meditation, sharing of ideas, resources and best practices, peer-led discussions, and jam-sessions. Return home with a clarified, hopeful vision of a community renewed through your soulful ministry.


Learn more

Ministerio Hispano | Latino Ministries

Para conectar con las actividades de la Catedral mande un email a [email protected].


Para conectar con las actividades del Ministerio Hispano en Worcester visite el sitio web ministeriohispanoworcester.org o mande un email a [email protected].



Misa Dominical

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester:

  • 12:00pm en la Iglesia de San Marcos en persona


Ministerio Hispano en Holyoke:

  • 5:00pm en la Iglesia San Pablo


La Catedral:

  • 12:15pm en persona


Durante la semana

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester: 

  • Estudio Bíblico todos los martes a las 6:30pm por Zoom
  • Grupo de Oración todos los viernes a las 6:30pm por WhatsApp


Ministerio Hispano en Holyoke:

  • Sábado, Holy Eucharist, The Rev. Joel Martinez, @ 6pm en la Iglesia San Pablo


La Catedral: 

  • Estudio Bíblico (en persona) Miércoles 6:00pm
  • Sabatina (Segundo, tercer y cuarto sábado del mes) de 10am a 12pm

From Our Congregations

Open Positions


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